Opportunity to
“COME BEFORE WINTER”
“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto men especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:10
I love the book of Ecclesiastes written by King Solomon, whom the Bible says was the wisest man ever known. He brings so much clarity to me as he talks to us about the seasons of our lives and how “to everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” How there is “a time to live, and a time to die, a time to laugh, and a time mourn, a time to plant, and a time to reap a time to speak, and a time to be silent.” He tells us time upon time about his journey and how he came to realize all that he had pursued and accomplished to him in his life had been vanity upon vanities. I think we all can agree as we look back sometimes, how we may have spent so much time and energy on things that really had no significant meaning in the wonderful life we have been given.
All the wisdom Solomon so freely gives us is captured to me in the final chapter when he tells us “to remember now our creator in the days of our youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them.” Matthew Henry says:
“It’s a figurative description of old age and it’s infirmities; which if sin had not entered these would not have been known.”
Solomon compares the aging process in many simplistic examples.
- He speaks while the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, being not darkened while we still have good vision;
- then, in the day when the keeper of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves as our physical body’s strength begins to diminish;
- how the grinders cease (they are few referring to our teeth);
- those that look out of the windows be darkened as our sight fades away;
- as the doors shall shut in the streets, and the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird;
- and all the daughters of music are brought low (as we are unable to hear well);
- also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way;
- how a grasshopper shall be a burden;
- and desire shall fail; because man goeth to his long eternal home.
What wisdom; what advice has been placed in our life from scriptures! So often, when we are young, we feel time will just stand still, and there will be a more convenient one.
Our age has been compared to the seasons. Age 0-20 is the spring of our life when we are born, and everything is new. First words, first steps, the first day of school, first love, graduation, and college! Age 20-40 is the summer when life heats up hot and fast. Careers, marriage, children, activities, mortgages! Age 40-60 is the fall of our life when we usually become empty nesters and, hopefully, experience the joy of grandchildren. There are not as many busy activities demanding our time, and expectations of financial pressures are beginning to loosen. Age 60-80 is the final season, the winter! The long-awaited retirement years, anticipations of financial freedom, slower pace of life, with more relaxing vacations and retreats. What we assume will be the golden years may often, though, become harsh, cold, and lonely winters as the body begins to tire and health begins to fail when suddenly, unexpected death comes upon us or our spouse.
I find it so amazing that while the final season brings dormancy, as plants and nature quit growing and death abounds, the next brings budding life! Spring is the beginning of new life in nature, and in the spiritual realm, the winter death becomes life anew in heaven; for those who accepted Jesus as Savior.
Oh, the cycle of life is amazing if we just take more notice of it daily and live out our lives with intentional purpose, as King Solomon advised. When Solomon told us to remember our creator in the days of our youth, he knew what lay ahead. He knew the vitality in body and spirit was at its best. He knew that opportunities were so plentiful and abundant that we should seize the day while our desires were great and ambitions were high.
One of my favorite movies is “Dead Poet’s Society.” Robin Williams plays an English teacher who emboldens a group of boys at a prep school to be free thinkers, to build confidence, to find their true sense of self, and to “Carpe diem” (Latin for “seize the day”)! He helps open their eyes to a world of opportunities. Some of my favorite quotes are,
- “The longer you wait to begin, the less likely you are going to find it at all.”
- “There’s a time for daring, and there is a time for caution; a wise man understands which is called for.
- “Chase your passions wholeheartedly, smile, compliment, be valuable, conquer a fear, share your story, mentor someone.
A few weeks ago, my pastor Brother Brandon Bruce preached a sermon entitled “Come Before Winter.” When he spoke those words, my heart gripped me within my spirit as he shared the final charge of Paul to Timothy in 2nd Timothy Chapter 4 Verse 21. The scripture speaks:
“Do thy diligence to come before winter.”
As he shared his heart, thoughts, and scenarios, I knew where he was headed before he ever began! “Opportunity.” Without much elaboration from Paul on his request to Timothy in his letter, Brother Brandon painted us a picture of this scripture that had my heart and mind right there. He invited us to imagine how rough and harsh the Mediterranean Sea was during winter travels.
Paul no doubt had traveled that sea on many occasions in his ministry. Many had tried and never made the journey because it was too vigorous. He gave the scenario of Timothy arriving to see Paul but not coming before winter, but later, and as he spoke to the person in charge of Paul, asking permission to see him. He reveals, “I’m Timothy. I’ve come to see Paul!”
He replies, “Oh, the times Paul spoke of you; ohhh how he loved you. He was so excited that you were coming.”
Timothy repeated, “Yes! Yes! May I visit him?”
Sadly the man bows his head and informs him, “I am so sorry, Timothy, he is no longer with us. He has departed; he is gone. He has died.”
I felt the pain and disappointment so great in my heart as I imagined how Timothy must have felt as he remembered Paul’s letter saying, “Come before winter.” Now it was too late. He had waited too long; the opportunity was gone.
How my heart grieved in church that Sunday morning as I reflected on missed opportunities that I had missed down through the years in my life. How we need to seize the day!! How I wish I could live life intentionally every day, seeking an opportunity to share words of hope, encouragement, and love to those we encounter and especially the ones the Lord has blessed our lives with.
Here are some examples in scripture of those that did come when the opportunity was given:
- Esther went before the king and asked for the life of the Jewish people.
- A little maid shared that if Naaman would come to the prophet in Israel that his God could heal him from leprosy.
- Phillip obeyed the voice of the angel of the Lord, telling him to go toward the South to the desert. He would see an Ethiopian eunuch, and that he should go to him, and at that very moment, he was reading from Esaias, and not understanding the reading, Phillip was able to share that it was about Jesus the shed lamb for our sins, the son of God. He believed, and Phillip baptized him.
There are many more we could share from the Word of God, but my thoughts are today, in this age of one believer to another, still sending out the call to “come before winter” (before it’s too late).
I think of my friend Reta, a co-worker that had the desire to share scripture and would type and print slips of scripture and put them in the money envelopes at the bank daily. What a blessing it has been to so many! So many times, customers shared how that scripture met their needs that very day.
Another dear friend, Dana, whom the Lord impressed after a heavy burden in her family’s life, to write a book about grief. She invited several other mothers to share their own personal stories of grief and loss. (I happen to be a recipient of that invitation in the loss of my only son.)
My precious neighbor, Selena, whom the Lord has given a heart for people recovering from addiction, has started recovery problems in our area and encourages us all every day through social media that we can overcome whatever battle we are against through the power of God’s spirit within us.
Opportunities are endless every day! I pray we are God-conscious, intentionally living our lives with the purpose of God’s calling on the gifts he has instilled within us. The mission field is every day along the way. I believe every encounter can be significant. May we not let them slip.
I look back more than I look forward some days and realize a lot of things could have been different, but one opportunity I am so thankful I obeyed was the night my precious son Zack died. The spirit urged me, and I pleaded for him to allow us to get help, but sadly he refused, walked away, and died of an overdose in two hours. I know in my heart the last conversation I had with my precious son, I did offer a plea to come for help. Zack, thankfully, was given the opportunity by a Mother’s Day card, given from his dad to me, to write his final words to me, which I will cherish until we meet again.
As I have been in my winter season for six years now, I know I am quickly approaching what God has promised of life’s expectation: “three score and ten.” I pray for days not full of promises but a life in tune to the voice of the Holy Spirit that I will obey him when he says, “Come.”
May God bless you with opportunities, and may you be willing to be used to encourage, enhance, and further the kingdom.
And all that will, let them come.
Diane Mann
Lean Into Jesus Ministries
#dianemannblogs
